Buttonhole-sewing machine



Amg, K924! E. B. ALLEN BUTTONHOLE SEWING IVIACHIIIE Filed May 5, 1922 4-Sheets-$heet 1 INVENTOR h mm WITNESSES:

WITNESSES:

E. B. ALLEN BUTTONHOLE SEWING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet P,

vNvENToR ATTQRMEY fiw o 12, 19%. Q 1,5043% E. B ALLEN BUTTQNHOLE] SEWING MACHINE F Eiled May 5, 1922 4 Sh ets-Sheet WETNESSES: INVENTOR Aug. 112, mm, 1,5043% E. B. ALLEN BUTTONHOLE} SEWING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ATTORNEY WITNESSES: a

Patented Aug. l2 i924.

n t It" EDVJAED B. ALLEN, 0F NEWTOVIN, CGNNECTIGUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE SINGER MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION Q NEW JERSEY.

BUTTONHOLE-SEWING MACHINE.

Application filed May 5,

T 0 all whom a may concern:

it known that I, EDWARD B. ALLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newtown, in the county of Fairlield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Buttonhole-Sewing Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

Fhis invention relates to automatic machines and more particularly to automatic buttonhole sewing machines of the type embodying buttonhole cutting and button hole working mechanisms with automatic means connected to one of said mechanisms for starting the other. In machines of this type it is important that each mechanism be operated only at the proper time in the complete cycle of operations of the machine, else the machine will be damaged by interference of the operative parts of the different mechanisms with one another.

The present invention has for an object to provide mechanism which, will operate positively and with certainty under all con ditions to insure against the operation at an inopportune time of one of a plurality of mechanisms in an automatic machine.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide improved means for safe-guarding the machine against damage caused by accidental operation of one of its component parts or mechanisms at the wrong time.

iVith the above and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear, the invention comprises a rotary control element which preferably makes not more than one revolution per complete cycle of operations of the machine and is connected with one of the mechanisms of the machine to turn when such mechanism is in operation. This element operates a locking device for another of the mechanisms of the machine so that the latter mechanism will be locked against accidental operation except during a predetermined period when it is safe for said other mechanism to operate. In other words, the locking means for one of the mechanisms is positively controlled by a timing element actuated by or with the other mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an automatic buttonhole sewing machine embodying the invention; the continuously rotating driving pulley for 1922. Serial No. ssaeaa.

the buttonhole cutting mechanism having been removed from the cuttershaft to better show various operative parts associated with such shaft. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the vertical frame member or standard of the machine; the machine bed and parts thereon being shown in plan. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary rear end elevation of the machine. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4%, Fig. 3, showing certain parts of the cutter starting mechanism in elevation. Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section through the machine bed looking toward the front of the machine. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section within the machine bed, looking in the same direction as in Fig. 1, and Fig. 7 is a fragmentary left side elevation of the machine.

For the purposes of the present disclosure the invention is illustrated as embodied in the automatic buttonhole cutting and sewing machine disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 537,381, filed February 18, 1922. This machine embodies two main or primary mechanisms to wit, mechanism for cutting the buttonhole and mechanism for working the buttonhole. The buttonhole working mechanism includes the usual feedwheel and connections for relatively moving the sewing implements (needle and looptaking devices) and work-holder to sew around the buttonhole. Such mechanism also includes in the present instance the rapid driving means for turning the feedwheel while the latter operates to shift the work-holder from cutting to sewing posi tion prior to sewing and from sewing to cutting position after the sewing is completed. Such mechanism also includes the means for relatively rotating the stitchforming mechanism and work-holder to place the stitches radially around the eye of the buttonhole or for reversely turning or restoring these parts to initial position after the buttonhole has been stitched.

In the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated, the buttonhole cutting mechanism is operated prior to the buttonhole working mechanism, whereby the buttonhole is cut first and then stitched. After the buttonhole cutting mechanism completes the operation, the buttonhole working mechanism is automatically started and the cut buttonhole is rapidly carried from cutting position to sewing position whereupon the stitch-forming instrumentalities are automatically started and the stitches laid around the buttonhole. After the buttonhole is stitched it is returned to initial or cutting position in finished condition. The two main mechanisms noted are driven by power means through suitable automatically controlled clutch devices. During the major portion of the time that the buttonhole working mechanism is in operation certain of its operative parts are in positions such that they would be struck and damaged by the buttonhole cutting mechanism" should the latter he accidentally opera-ted. It is only while the work-holder is in cutting position and the turret for the lower stitchforming instrumentalities is at or near its starting position that there is sufficient clearance for the buttonhole cutter to out the buttonhole.

The frame of the machine comprises the usual hollow rectangular base 1 from which rises the hollow standard 2 of the overhanging bracket-arm 3 terminating in the head 4 which carries the usual mechanism for the reciprocating and laterally jogging needle 5. The needle-operating mechanism is preferably constructed substantially in accordance with the disclosure of my Patent No. 15,324 reissued April 4, 1922, and includes the usual vertical shaft 6 which is connected at its lower end by gears 7 to the main sewing shaft 8. The vertical shaft 6 is connected by gears 9 to the needlebar operating shaft 10 which extends longitudinally of and within the bracket-arm 3 and drives the needle in the well known manner disclosed in said patent.

The needle cooperates with the usual looptaking instrumentalities carried by the rotary turret 10*. preferably constructed substantially in accordance with the disclosure of the patent to Allen et a l, No. 1,372,473 of March22, 1921, and are driven by the shaft 8 in timed relation to the needle 5.

The work-frame or work-holder is preferably constructed substantially as disclosed in my Patents Nos. 1,372,472 and 1,136,388. It comprises the usual lower clamping plates 11 and upper pivotally mountedclamping levers 12 carrying pivotally mounted clamp ingfeet 13; the clamping levers 12 being adapted to be depressed into clamping engagement with the work by movement of the connected rock-shaft sections 14 one of which carries the usual finger-piece 15 and arm 16 which latter extends under the roll 17, 1g. 2, at the front end of the clampcloslng lever 18, Fig. 1, which is pivoted to the standard 2 at 19.

The-glower or work-supporting plates 11 of the work-clamp are mounted as usual upon the cross slide-plate 11 Fig. 2, to partake of a spreading movement which may be These instrumentalities are imparted by toggle connections of substantially the form described in my said Patent No 1,372,472. Such connections comprise the clamp-spreading slideplates 20, 20,

which carry the pins 21 against which are pressed the headed pins 22 carried by the brackets 23 secured to the fulcrunii-blocks 24 for the clamp-levers 12. A lever 25 is fulcrumed at 26 to the cross slide-plate 11 and is pivoted at 27 to a lever 28 pivoted in turn at 29 to the slide-plate 20. The lever 25 is pivoted at its other end to one end of a link 30 which at its other end is pivotally con nected at 31 to the slide-plate 20. The toggle connection may be straightened to spread the clamp by a forward push upon the free end 32 of a lever pivoted at 33 on the plate 20 and having its other end forked to embrace the fulcrum-pin 34. which connects the lever 25 and link 30. A forward push at the free end of the lever 28 unspreads the clamp.

The work-clamp is mounted as usual for longitudinal and lateral motion over the bed of the machine to carry the buttonhole rapidly from cutting to sewing position and return, and to move the work in the desired path during the sewing of the buttonhole. The motions of the work-holder are preferably derived from rapidand stitcl1ingfeed niechanisu'is such as disclosed in my said Patent No. 1,372,472. Such mechanisms include the feed-wheel to which the transverse or rapidfeed shaft 36 is permanently connected by the gears 37; the shaft 36 detachably carrying one of a set of interchangeable cams 38 for controlling the period of operation of the stitch-forming mechanisn'i and having a lateral feed-cam groove 38 which in conjunction with selectively controlled mechanism set forth in my said Patent No. 1,372,472 may be used to control the side shift movements of the work-holder, in lieu of the side shift cam-groove in the main feedwheel, as when sewing a buttonhole having a smaller eye or other variations in shape from that produced by the action of the side-shift cam in the main feed-wheel.

The permanently connected feed-wheels 35 and 38, when tripped into operation, are first driven at a comparatively high speed by an a-utomati ally controlled clutch connection with a continuously running powenshaft 39 which is geared at 40 to the continuously running pulley 41 of the driving device or power means for the sti.tchforming mechanism. The rapid-feed clutch embodies the usual driving and driven clutch-elements 42, 43, Fig. 5, on the shaft 36; driving relation being established by movement to the right, Fig. 5, of the endwise slidable rod 44 carrying the lateral pin 45 and clutch-operating fork 46 which slides the clutch-controlling cone 43 on the shaft 36. The driving clutch element 42 is driven by the worm and gear connection continuously running pulley 109.

107 on the bed 1. Clockwise movement of the bellcrank-lever 106, Fig. 2, about its fulcrum 107, withdraws the latch-plate 105 and releases the clutch-tooth 104 on the slide-block 104, whereupon the latter is 7 from engagement with the internally toothed driving pulley 109, whereupon the motion of the disk 102 is arrested by the engagement of the lug 104 with a shoulder 111 on the latch-plate 105. Prior to the completion of the single revolution of the shaft 99, the latch-plate 105 is restoredto stopping position by means of a cam-groove 112, F 2, formed in the hub of the disk. 102 and acting on the follower-pin 112 depending from the lever 106.

When the machine is started, the clampclosing lever 18 is given a single complete to-and-fro movement by means of a cam groove 109, in the inner face of the continuously rotating pulley 109; the controlling connections for initiating the rocking move ment of the lever 18 and holding it out of action being constructed substantially in accordance with the disclosure of my said Patent No. 1,37 2,47 2. The rearwardly disposed arm 113 of the clamp closing lever 18 carries the endwise movable follower-pin 114 which is held in ejected position out of engagement with the cam-groove 109 in the pulley 109 by the latch 115 pivoted at 116 to the standard 2.

This latch is swung to the right, Fig. 1, to release the pin 114 by the action of the operator in forcing down by suitable means the starting rod 117 connected to the bellcranklever 118, 119, also fulcrumed at 116. The arm 119 carries apivoted catch 120 which engages the pin 121 on the latch 115 and withdraws the latter from a notch in the pin 114, as explained in my said Patent No. 1,372,472. As the arm 18 is depressed to engage the arm 16 and close the work-clamp, the tooth 122 on the link 123 which is pivotally connected at 124 to the arm 113 of the clamp-closing lever, is drawn forwardly and drops down under the influence of the spring 123 in front of the shoulder 125, Fig. 4, on the lateral arm 126 of the cutter clutch-controlling bellcrank-lever 106. The tooth 122 is formed on a plate 127 which is adjustable lengthwise of its carrier 123 and is secured thereto by the screw 128.

During the return or clockwise movement of the clamp-closing lever 18,. Fig. 1, the

tooth 122 pushes the arm 126 rearwardly and 7 thereby shifts the latch-plate 105 inwardly and releases the clutch-tooth 104 which opcrates to couple the cutter-shaft 99 to the pulley 109 for one complete revolution. During the revolution of the cutter-shaft the buttonhole cutter levers are advanced and closed to cut the buttonhole. Fixed to the cutter-shaft 99 is a cam 129 in engagement with which is a follower roll 130 on the T-shaped lever 131 which is fulcrumed at 132 on the bed 1. The spring 133 holds the roll 130 in engagement with the cam 129. The free end 134 of the lever 131 is disposed closely in rear of the free end 32 of the clamp-spreading lever. During the last half of the revolution of the cutter-shaft. 99 and after the buttonhole has been cut, the cam 129 rocks the lever 131 and causes it to push forwardly on the clamp-spreading lever 32, thereby spreading the clamp and o 'ienii'ig up the buttonhole-slit for the passage of the needle. Just before the motion of the cutter-shaft is arrested, a cam 135, Fig. 1, on the driven disk 102 depresses the lever-arm 136 which is fixed to a transverse rock-shaft 137 to which is also fixed a lever arm 138 having at its lower end a pin 139, Fig. 6, which enters the slot 140 in the latch 60. By means of this connection, the cam 135 is caused to withdraw the latch 60 from the reciprocating bar 53 and thus throw the rapid-feed component of the buttonhole working mechanism into operation. The spring 141, Fig. 1, connected to the lever 136 and to the bed 1 holds the roll 142 on the arm 136 in engagement with the peripheral cam-edge of the disk 102 and'restores the latch 60 to latching position.

The cutter-shaft 99 also has fixed thereon a earn 143 in engagement with which is the roll 144 on the lever 145 pivoted at 146 to the standard 2. The lever 145 has at its rearward end a lateral extension 145 underly ing the link 123. During the first partof the revolution of the cutter-shaft 99 the lever 145 is lifted and operates to lift the link 123 high enough to carry the tooth 122 above the shoulder 125 and permit the cam 112 to restore the bellcrank-lever 106,126, to initial position in time to arrest the rotation of the disk 102 at the completion of a single rotation.

In the construction disclosed in my prior application Serial No. 537, 381, filed February 18, 1922, use was made of a spring-operated latch-lever to support the rear end of the link 123 in elevated or ineffective position with its tooth 122 above the level of the shoulder 125. This spring latch also operated to block the movement of the bellcranklever 106, 126 to starting position. This latch has not proven to be entirely reliable as a safety device and according to the present improvement means are provided for operating this latch positively or by power feed shaft 36 from the the right to withdraw the cone 43" I 472, and embodies 42 with'the shaft 39. It will be understood, particularly from the disclosure of my said Patent No. 1,372,472, that the withdrawal of the cone 43 from the driven clutch-member 43 permits the clutching of such member to the driving element 42 to be accomplished. Projection of the cone 43 towardthe driven clutch-element 43 effects the declutching of the parts 42 and 43.

Mounted in the base 1 on the bracket 47 is the continuously rocking bellcrank-lever 48, 49, the forked arm 49 of which embraces a crank 50 on the power-shaft 39. Pivoted side-by-side at 51 on the arm 48 ofthe bellcra'nk-leve-r are the reciprocating bars 52, 53.

The rod 52 has connected to its free end a spring 54 which pulls the bar 52 downwardly against the shoulder 55, Fig. 6, on the latch 56 pivoted at 57 to the bed 1. The spring 56 connectedat its opposite ends respectively to the latch 56 and to the frame 1 yieldingl'y holds the latch in supporting engagement.

with the bar 52. Connected to the free end of the companion bar 53 is a spring 58, Fig. 7, which pulls it upwardly against the seat 59, Fig. 6,- on the latch 60 also pivoted at 57 on the bed 1. The bars 52, 53 reciprocate ldly when supported by their respective latches 56, 60.

When thelatch 60 is Withdrawn from the bar 53, the latter 1s pulled upWarollv by its spring 58 and the abrupt shoulder 68, Fig. 5,engages the pin 45 on the clutcl1control ling slide-rod 44 and pushes the latter to from the rapid-feed clutch and thereby effect the coupling of the rapid-feed shaft 36 to the power-shaft 39. During the return movement of the bar 53', the inclined shoulder 69 encountersthe pin 45 and causes the bar 53 tote deflected downwardly sufficiently to be engaged by the latch 60 and held in idle position. Similarly, when the latch 56 is withdrawn from the bar 52, the latter is pulled downwardly by the spring 54 the abrupt shoulder '70 engages the pin 45' and pushes the rod 44' to the left to declutch the rapidpower-shaft 39 the return movement of the bar 52 carrying the .t inclined shoulder 71 against the pin 45 which lifts the bar 52' sufficiently to be engaged and supported in idle position by the latch 56.

During the' sewing, the connected feedwheels 35, 38, are driven at a slow speed by the usual stitching-feed including the gear 35' on the feed-wheel 35 and a train of gears, not shown, connected with the" sewing shaft 8.

The period 'of operation of the stitch forming mechanism is controlled by the usual clutch or'stop-motion device which is constructed substantially in accordance with the disclosure in my said Patent No. 1,372,- the tilting stop-motion lever 72 fixed to the rock-shaft 73 mounted in the bracket 74 and carrying the usual spring-pressed stopping tooth 75. When the lever 72 is tilted to withdraw the tooth 75 rearwardly from the stop-notch 76, Fig. 3, in the stop-cam 77, the pulley 41 is coupled to the shaft: 8. hen the lever '72 is restored to its vertical position, Fig. 7, the tooth 75 is engaged and lifted by the eccentric portion 78, F 3, of the stop-cam until the stop-notch 76 passes under the tooth 75, whereupon the latter drops into such notch and arrests the motion of the shaft 8. The stop-motion lever 72 is controlled by means of an arm 79, Fig. 7, which is fixed to the rock-shaft 73 and is connected by the link 88, 89, to the upstanding lever 81 pivoted at. 82 to the bed 1 and carrying a cam-follower 83 which rides on the cameleinent 84 on the interchangeable wheel 38. When the follower 83 is encountered by the cam rise 85, Fig. 7, the stop-motion lever 72 is tilted to start the stitch-forming mechanism. hen the declivity 86 passes the follower 83 the stop-motion lever 72 is released and is restored to stopping position by the spring 87. The link. 88', 89, is in the form of a toggle which may be broken by swinging the handle 90 forwardly to witlulraw the follower 83 from ope 'ative relation with the cam-wheel 38. It is often desirable to break this toggle to render the starting con nection for the stop-motion device inoperative when the machine is being repaired or adjusted.

The lateral arm 91 on the element 89 engages the element 88 and permits the center 92 to drop even with or slightly below a line joining the centers of the connections at the opposite ends of the toggle. The springpressed round-nosed pin 88, Fig. 2, mounted in the link 88 enters a shallow recess in the side of the element 89 and yieldingly holds the toggle elements in straightened relation.

The buttonhole cutting mechanism is constructed substantially in accordance with the disclosure of my said Patent No. 1,372,472 and includes the usual cutter-levers 93, 94, which are pivotally mounted at 95 on the travelling fulcrum-block 96; the latter receiving its travelling movements from the usual link connection 97 with the cutter advancing and retracting cam 98, Fig. 2, on the cutter-shaft 99. The cutter-shaft also carries the usual cutter-closing cams 1.00, 101. The cutter-shaft has fixed thereto the driven member or disk 102 of the usual onerevolution clutch device; said disk being radially slotted at 103 to receive the springpressed slide-block 104 carrying the clutchtooth 104. The slide-block 104 is held in neoaeoe from a control element running with the but tonhole working mechanism. In the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated the rapid-feed shaft 36 has mounted on its end opposite the stop-motion controlling wheel 38 a rotary control element or cam-wheel 147 formed with a peripheral closed cam-groove 148 which is entered by a follower-roll 149 carried at the lower end of an arm 150 fixed to the shaft 151 journaled in brackets 152 at the side of the bed 1. Fixed to the rear end of the shaft 151 is the arm 153 the free end of which is connected by means of the link 154 to the arm 155 of the locking lever 156.

When the parts of the machine are in starting position and it is safe for the buttonhole cutting mechanism to operate, the short side-throw portion 157 of the cam 148, Fig. 3, is in control of follower 149 and the locking lever 156 is held in unlocking position. After the machine has been started and the buttonhole cutting mechanism has operated, the buttonhole working mechanism is automatically thrown 'into operation. The rapid-feed shaft 36 immediately begins to rotate to shift the cut buttonhole to the sewing mechanism. However, before the work-holder has been shifted appreciably from cutting position, the wall of the side throw portion 157 of the cam 148 shifts the follower 149 to the right, Fig. 3, and thus forcibly and unyieldingly swings the locking lever 156 with a clockwise movement to position its shoulder 158 below and in supporting engagement with the rear end of the link 123. This movement of the lever 156 also positions its extension 159 directly in rear of the pin 160, Fig. 2, on the bellcrank-leverarm 126 and thus positively locks the buttonhole cutting mechanism against possible accidental operation; the extension 159 blocking the movement of the cutter clutchcontrolling lever 106, 126, to starting position. The lever 156 also holds the link 123 with its tooth 122 in elevated or ineffective position so that in case the latch-pin 114 is accidentally released during the sewing, the clamp-closing lever 18 will merely perform an idle to-and-fro movement without jamming the parts.

The rapid-feed mechanism operates in the usual manner, as disclosed in my said Patent No. 1,372,472, to carry the workclamp to sewing position whereupon the cam-rise 85 on the interchangeable camelement 38 initiates the shifting of the stopmotion lever 72 to running position, thereby starting the stitch-forming mechanism. At the same time, a tripping point 161, Fig. 6, on the inner face of the cam 38 engages and lifts the free end of the lever 162 which, in turn, withdraws the latch 56 from beneath the reciprocating bar, 52, thereby throwing the latter into action to declutch the rapid-feed shaft from the power-shaft 39 At the completion of the sewing, the declivity 86 of the cam 84, Fig. 7, passes the follower '83 and allows the stop-motion lever 72 to spring to stopping position and arrest the stitch-forming mechanism. The stopmotion tooth 75 has fixed thereto a lateral pin 163, Fig. 1, which enters a slot 164 in one end of a lever 165 which is pivoted at 166 on the plate 167 fixed to the bracketmember 74. Pivoted at 168 to the other end of the lever 165 is the lower end of a lever 169 having a forwardly projecting tooth 17 0 and a rearwardly and upwardly curved extension 171 which is yieldingly maintained in engagement with the fixed pin 172 by the spring 173.

The elevation of the stopping tooth 75 by the cam-rise 7 8, when the stop-motion lever 72 springs to stopping position, acts through the rock-lever 165 to lower the lever 169 whereupon the tooth 170 of the latter snaps under the shoulder 174 at the rear end of the arm 175 fixed to the rapidfeed starting rock-shaft 137. When the stopping tooth 75 drops into the stop-notch 76 of the cam 77, the tooth 170 lifts the arm 175 and thereby swings the arm 138 and latch 60 to the right, Figs. 1 and 6, to clutch the rapid-feed shaft to the'powershaft 39 for the return of the work-holder from sewing position to starting or cutting position.

When the work-holder is returned to starting position, a tripping point 161, Fig. 6, on the inner face of the cam 38 operates, in the same manner as the tripping point 161 previously described, to declutch the rapidfeed-shaft 36 from the power-shaft 39; this time bringing the machine to rest at the completion of the buttonhole'making cycle.

The workholder has secured to its rearward corner adjacent the interchangeable wheel 38, Figs. 2 and 7, the rearwardly extending bar 176 the extremity of which is bent to form a camincline 177. Pivotally mounted on the standard 2 at 178 is the bellcrank-lever 179, 180, the arm 180 of which is connected to the usual clamp-open ing push-rod 181 from which depends the clamp-unspreading arm 182. As described in my said Patent No. 1,372,472, the rod 181 when pushed forwardly engages the arm 183 fixed to the clamp-closing rockshaft section 14 and pushes such arm for wardly to open the work-clamp. The lower end of the arm 182 is also caused to engage and operate the clamp-unspreading lever 28.

The arm 179 of the bellcrank-lever has pivoted thereon a lever 184 having a tail piece 185'which is held yieldingly a ainst the stop-pin 186 by the spring 187. Ttearthe bellcrank-lever 17 9, 180, and pushing the rod.18l and arm 182 forwardly to effect the opening and unspreading of the workclamp. When the cam-incline 177 passes rearwardly of the lever 184 the spring 188,

connected at its opposite ends to the arm 180 andstandard 2, restores the parts 179 to 182, inclusive, toinitial position. The finished work is now free to be removed fr0m=the machine.

\Nhile sewing around the end of the buttonhole, the needle 5 and turret 10 are given a rotarymotion about a vertical axis by means of the usual connected sectorgearv arms 189, 190, which are actuated 111 the usual manner from the feed-wheel 35, as disclosed in my said Patent No. 1,372,472. During the last stage of the operation of the buttonhole working mechanism and while the Work-holder is being returned to initial position, the needle and turret are reversely rotated to restore them toinitial position. As the turret and work-holder arrive substantially at their respective initial or safe positions, the offset 157 of the cam-groove. 148 acts upon the lever 150 and train of connections with the locking lever 156, to shift it to the position shown in Fig. 3, thereby unlocking the buttonhole cutting mechanism and releasing the link 123 in readiness for the cutting operation at the beginning of the ensuing buttonhole producing cycle.

The starting rod 117 may be operated by a suitable finger-lever 191 which is pivoted at 192 to the fulcrum-block 24 of the lefthand clamping lever 12. The rearward end 193 of the finger-lever 191 extends under and is adapted to rock the transversely disposed lever 194 which is pivoted at 195 to a. bracket 196 screwed to the frame. The lever 194 is forked at its end remote from the lever 191 to embrace the lateral pin 197 carried by the collar 198 fixed to .the starting rod 117. A spring 198 on the rod 117 is interposed between the collar 198 and a guide bracket 199 mounted on the frame.

When the finger-lever 191 is depressed, the lever 194 will be rocked to force the starting rod 117 downwardly. Pivotally mounted on the frame at 200 is a latch-lever 201 having an inclined end 202 and a latching shoulder 203 adapted to engage a lateral pin 204 fixed to the starting rod 117 and hold the latter in depressed or starting position. The lever 201 is formed with an arm 205 the extremity 206 of which is in the path of movement of the tripping point 207 carried by the cam 147. Just before the machine comes to rest, the tripping point 207 swings the latch-lever 201, 205, to release the starting rod which is restored to initial position by its spring 198. The spring 208 yieldingly holds the lever 201 in latching position. Thus, when the starting rod is once pulled down to start the machine, it is latched in its depressed position until the machine has substantially completed its cycle of operations.

The extent of downward motion of the starting rod 117 is determined by the fingeroperated stop-lever 209, Fig. 1, which is pivoted at 210 to the bracket 211 fixed to the frame. The stop-lever is bifurcated to provide offset stop-arms 212, 213, at different levels. The lever 209 may be swung on its pivot to position either of the arms 212, 213, below the rod 117. The arm 212 prevents actuation of the rod 117 to start the machine and the arm 213 prevents excessive motion of the rod 117. The lever 209 is found with an upwardly bent lateral extension which is slotted to form stop prongs 214 between which is located stoppin 215 mounted in the bracket 211. The prongs 214 and pin 215 limit the motion of the finger-lever 209 in opposite directions. Should the operator desire to leave the machine unattended, the lever 209 is swung to position the stop 212 beneath the starting rod 117, thereby locking the machine against accidental operation.

.Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what I claim herein is 1. A buttonhole sewing machine having, in combination, buttonhole cutting mechanism, buttonhole working mechanism, continuously running power means for said mechanisms. clutch devices for throwing said mechanisms into and out of operation, a rotary control element: driven by the buttonhole working mechanism, and means eonnected to be operated by said control element for locking the clutch device for the cutting mechanism against accidental operation during a predetermined period of the operation of the buttonhole working mecha nism.

2. A buttonhole sewing machine having, in combination, buttonhole cutting mecha nism, power-means, a clutch connection between said. mcchanism and means, a clutchcontrolling lever, buttonhole working mech anism including stitch-forming devices, a WOl'i-llOlClGl, a feed-wheel and connections for relatively moving the stitch-forming devices and work-holder during the sewing and into and out of sewing relation, :1 control element connected to the feed-wheel, and means for locking the clutch-controllin g lever for the buttonhole cutting mechanism connected to be operated by said control element.

3. A buttonhole sewing machine having, in combination, buttonhole cutting mechanism, power means, a clutch connection bemoa soc tween said mechanism and-means, stitchforming mechanism, a worlnholder, a feedwheel and connections for relatively mov ing the stitch-forming mechanism and work-holder during the sewing and into and out of sewing relation, a rapid feed shaft and connections for driving the feed-wheel prior and subsequent to sewing, a cam on the rapid-feed shaft, and a lock for the buttonhole cutting mechanism connected to be operated by said cam.

A. A buttonhole sewing machine having, in combination, buttonhole cutting mechanism, power means, a clutch connection between said mechanism and means, buttonhole working mechanism including stitchforming mechanism, a work-holder and a feed-wheel, a cam running with said feedwheel, and a lock for the buttonhole cutting mechanism connected to be operated by said cam.

5. A buttonhole sewing machine having, in combination, buttonhole cutting mechanism, power means, a clutch connection be tween said mechanism and means, buttonhole working mechanism including stitchforming mechanism, a work-holder and a feed-wheel, a closed cam running with said feed-wheel, and a clutch lockingelement for the cutting mechanism connected to be operated by said closed cam.

6. A buttonhole sewing machine having, in combination, buttonhole cutting mechanism, power means, a clutch connection be tween said mechanism and means, a clutchcontrolling lever, stitch-forming mechanism, a work-clamp, clamp-closing mechanism, connections with the clamp-closing mechanism for operating said clutch-controlling lever to start the buttonhole cutting mechanism, a feed-wheel and connections for relatively movingvthe stitch-forming mechanism and worlrclamp, a controlling element running vith said feed-wheel and connections for rendering the clutch-operating connections with'the clamp-closing mechanism ineffective during the relative movement of the stitch-forming mechanism and work-clamp.

i. A buttonhole sewing machine having, in combination, buttonhole cutting mechanism, power means therefor, clutch connection between said mechanism and means, buttonhole sewing mechanism, a stopmotion device for the buttonhole sewing mechanism, a shaft running with the buttonhole sewing mechanism, a cam on said shaft and con nections with the stop-motion device for controlling the period of operation of the sewing mechanism, locking means for the buttonhole cutting mechanism clutch, and

a second cam on said shaft and connections for operating said locking means.

8. A buttonhole sewing machine having, in combination, buttonhole cutting mech anism, buttonhole sewing mechanism, a work-holder, means for moving the workholder from cutting to sewing position and wturn, locking means for the buttonhole cutting mechanism, and a rotary element running with said work-holder moving means and connections for operating said locking means to lock the cutting mechanism against accidental operation while the workholder is displaced from cutting position.

9. A buttonhole sewing machine having, in combination, buttonhole cutting mechanism, buttonhole sewing mechanism including a rotary turret, means for turning said turret in sewing around the end of a buttonhole and for returning the turret to initial position, locking means for the buttonhole cutting mechanism, and a rotary element running with the turret turning means and connections for operating said locking means to lock the cutting mechanism against accidental operation while the turret is out of initial position.

10. In an automatic buttonhole sewing machine, in combination, buttonhole cutting mechanism, buttonhole working mechanism, power means, a starting element and connections for establishing driving relations between the power means and one of said mechanisms, and a manually operated stop for said starting element, said stop comprising a plurality of oifset shoulders which may be positioned selectively in the path of the starting element to either lock the machine against operation or to prevent overthrow of the starting element in starting the machine.

11. A buttonhole sewing machine having, in combination, buttonhole cutting mechanism, power means, a clutch connection between said mechanism and means, a clutchcontrolling lever, shifting means for the clutch-controlling lever, buttonhole working mechanism including stitch-forming devices, a work-holder, a feed-wheel and connections for relatively moving the stitchforming devices and work-holder, and a control element running with the buttonhole working mechanism and connections for rendering said shifting means for said clutch-controllinglever ineffective during a predetermined period of the operation of the buttonhole working mechanism.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

EDWARD B. ALLEN. 

